Southern Cross Douglas C-47/DC-3

Photo courtesy of D. Simonsen.

“The DC-3 is given most of the credit for an almost 600% increase in airline passenger traffic between 1936 and 1941. Recognizing its great potential as a military transport, the United States Army specified a number of changes needed to make the aircraft acceptable for military use, including more powerful engines, the removal of airline seating in favor of utility seats along the walls, a stronger rear fuselage and floor, and the addition of large loading doors. A large order was placed in 1940 for the military DC-3, which was designated C-47 and became known as “Skytrain,” a name it would soon be asked to live up to.” [Quoted from Warbird Alley ]

October 24, 2015 update. I’ve returned from a holiday in Berlin, and visited the Berlin Aviation museum. They have a beautiful C-47 there. Here are the pictures.